UPDATE: Race for Assembly District 22 heats up as Condit throws his hat in the ring
Sgt. Juan Alanis said he has pulled out of the race for Stanislaus County sheriff and will run for the newly created 22nd Assembly District seat in the California Legislature.
In another development, Chad Condit announced Thursday he’s also running to represent the new Assembly district, which includes Modesto, Ceres, Turlock, Patterson and part of Merced County.
Condit, the son of former Congressman Gary Condit, was the chief of staff for Dennis Cardoza in the California State Assembly, an assistant to former Gov. Gray Davis and a legislative assistant in the state Senate and Assembly.
The news release announcing his candidacy said Condit’s experience in Sacramento, combined with his knowledge of District 22, will help him be an effective legislator for the new Assembly District.
Condit said his campaign should appeal to moderate voters.
“If the Democrats don’t nominate someone that can attract independents and moderate Republicans, we will lose this seat,” Condit said in the news release.
Alanis was running for sheriff a second time but recently took out papers to enter the June primary for Assembly District 22. The 27-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department confirmed Wednesday that he’s running for state Assembly as a Republican.
“I see it as a unique opportunity for me to better serve this community and also the state,” Alanis said Wednesday.
If elected as a state representative from the Valley, Alanis said he wants to work on bringing technology to Central Valley agriculture and all industries.
Alanis is joining a crowded field that may include three other Republicans: Sean Harrison, Joel Gutierrez Campos and Guadalupe “Lupita” Salazar. Democrat Jessica Self has pulled papers.
Another Democrat, Paul Danbom of Turlock, took out papers but said Wednesday he was dropping out after hearing that Condit would run.
Alanis ran for sheriff in 2018 and was defeated by Jeff Dirkse, who is seeking a second term in the June primary. Dirkse captured 51.6% of the vote to succeed Adam Christianson as sheriff. Alanis in his first bid for public office garnered 48%.
Condit ran as an independent in the 10th Congressional District election in 2012 and fell short in the open primary.
Condit’s campaign is listing endorsements from former legislators in Sacramento including Cruz Bustamante, Steve Peace, and Charles Calderon, Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon, former Turlock Mayor John Lazar, Modesto Council member Jenny Kenoyer, Patterson vice mayor Dominic Farinha, Ceres Councilman James Casey and others.
Alanis picked up a key endorsement from Assemblyman Heath Flora, R-Ripon, whose district included Turlock before new redistricting maps were approved.
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
